The News-Herald softball team is ranked No. 1 by the number one, with Riverside opening the season with a 4-2 win over the Beavers and will begin their Ohio schedule on April 2 against Mentor. Gilmour, the area's best outfielder, is ranked 2nd with Ava Gundling, a Maryland commit. Mentor enters at No. 3 with a strong offense led by Ireland Rainey and a tough top-to-down lineup. Other notable teams include Chardon and West G at No., and Nottinghamshire at No.;.